Joan Birchall Archive Photo 30
Farm Workers
Male farm workers had not always been used to working with women. Men resented the way that women (and not even country women, but urban ones in most cases) were doing what they saw as ‘men’s work’. As Ann Kramer notes, there was some inappropriate behaviour by men who sexually harassed women, and in some cases raped them.
For some, barriers between women and men gradually broke down and were more amicable. As women learnt from men the ‘tricks of the trade’ (such as spitting on their hands to prevent blisters and having the correct posture when removing weeds) and proving their competence on the land.
Women’s lives were changed forever though, as some married the farmer or farmer’s son, with some continuing to run farms together after the war.
Nevertheless, men were not the only barrier to women settling into the community as often local women were jealous of these young girls for a number of reasons, they:
- Rresented the girls taking over their sons’/husbands’ jobs
- Were jealous of the attention being cast upon these young girls
- Felt threatened by the presence of young, town girls
Men in Uniform
Some women who lived near military bases had the chance to meet members of the Armed Forces and American GIs, which often provided sources of entertainment and relationships for the young women. Women often attended dances, such as shown in the photos below, as well as gaining an insight into American culture through meeting GIs. Many wartime romances blossomed, whether it was just for a night or for a lifetime, many girls were made to feel special as they were romanced under the stars. Behind all the dances and romances, there was a sense of urgency that the American ‘Yank’ or RAF pilot might go out and die the next day, fighting for their country.
Land Girls and Men in Uniform collage.
From left to right, top to bottom:
Hope House Land Girls with soldiers. Source: Joan Birchall archive British Land Girls with members of the Women’s Royal Air Force (WAAF) dancing with men of the US Eighth Army Air Force in Suffolk in 1943.
Wedding photo of Land Girl Peggy Albertson (nee Davis), Bedfordshire Land Girl and ‘Joe’. Source: Stuart Antrobus
Hope House Land Girl with a member of the Forces. Source: Joan Birchall archive
Prisoners of War
In many cases, Land Girls had to work alongside Prisoners of War – from Italy or Germany. This caused some resentment in cases, with Land Girls using the same transport around the farm as these ‘enemies’, an issue explored in a TV period drama ‘Land Girls’ (Moore, 2010).
References
Kramer, Ann. Land Girls and Their Impact. Barnsley: Pen and Sword, 2008.